Results 41-60 of 879 for his speaker:Joe O'Toole

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Seanad: Order of Business (7 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...I remember, in particular, Senator Alex White asking the Minister to take us through step by step what happened on that night, how they came to certain conclusions and what the banks were saying. This was presented as an urgent priority that was brought to the Government at very short notice and on which they had to make quick decisions. The leader of the Green Party, the Minister for...

Seanad: Tributes to Member of Staff (2 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The measure of how well a person does his or her job is how easy he makes it look. On behalf of the Independent benches I say go raibh míle maith agat as ucht do chuid oibre ar feadh dhá scór bliain anois and it is very much appreciated. He has dealt courteously over the years with those of us who have only rented seats in these two Houses. I often saw Shay going about his business and...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...it does not quite meet what I intended. I agree with the use of certain "weather" as opposed to "geographical" conditions. I now intend to bring forward a different amendment on Report Stage. This amendment will recognise the points made by the Minister and recognise some conditions will be relevant. We need to go back to what the Minister said about the importance of primary...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...regulatory authority. That is not my point. The following is the best analogy I can provide. The Bill transposes into law a European directive and the Minister has a significant input in this process. If my amendment is clumsily worded and gives the impression that I am seeking to change the authority of the proposed Commission for Communications Regulation to be the national regulatory...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply and do not doubt his commitment to his argument. I do not propose to press the amendment. However, I ask the Minister to give consideration to my argument. I will read the primary legislation before Report Stage to ascertain if it provides leeway to act in the manner he described. Every morning the Cathaoirleach reads out a list of matters...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I move amendment No. 5: In page 16, subsection (2), line 15, after "providers" to insert ", trade unions". I am disappointed I had to table this amendment. I hope the reason will become clear as I make my case for it. The fact that I tabled the amendment means that certain matters are not being taken into consideration when legislation is framed. I do not necessarily point my finger at the...

Seanad: Communications Regulation (Postal Services) Bill 2010: Committee Stage (1 Dec 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I thank the Minister and accept his intentions and goodwill. I will withdraw the amendment and I look forward to seeing the new wording on Report Stage.

Seanad: Order of Business (30 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I congratulate former Senator Pearse Doherty on his election. It is important that the House does so. Perhaps it would be better to avoid mentioning that the main Government party came third in the by-election. In light of comments made in the House last week, including by Senator Paul Bradford, I congratulate the ICTU on organising an effective, responsible and civic-minded demonstration...

Seanad: North-South Co-operation on Sex Offenders: Statements (30 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, and acknowledge the good work he has done in this area since his appointment. However, I do not share the same kind of enthusiasm expressed by certain other groups in respect of the matters to which he refers. My great hope for the British-Irish Agreement and the commitment to shadow legislation was that the area which we are discussing...

Seanad: Renewable Energy: Statements (25 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State. He and I soldiered together on the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security for some time. The committee still has not made any progress with this recalcitrant Government which refuses to accept the two legislative measures the Minister of State and I struggled hard to draft. Perhaps he will outline our current position with regard to climate...

Seanad: National Recovery Plan 2011-2014: Statements (24 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...Green Party a great deal of hassle, but we must be fair and admit it has taken a leading role during the past year in opposing a reduction in primary school class sizes. In the middle of all of this, it is an important vote of confidence in the system. I am not sure where the local services money will go. The Minister of State might clarify whether it is going to local authorities, which...

Seanad: Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy (17 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I have asked about this before and ask that it be corrected on future occasions. It is important because we are speaking about our late colleague. We will miss Kieran's good humour and warm personality. We can only imagine how his death impacts on his family and friends. I speak on behalf of my colleagues on the Independent benches, on whose behalf I extend our deepest condolences. We...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...for the time given to the motion and the various speakers who contributed. It has been a very interesting debate, but I am totally discouraged. I have spent 24 years trying to make movement on this issue, but no movement has taken place. I am glad Senator Mullen made his concluding points. My criticism of the system of election is not to be taken as a criticism of the people who come...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...she will register. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I understand the senior Minister is dealing with a crucial legislation in the other House. I have no doubt he will keep an eye on this motion. I could stand up here and say "ditto" or "the same again" because it is embarrassing that this topic has been discussed many times in the House. This Chamber is not fulfilling its...

Seanad: Seanad Reform: Motion (3 Nov 2010)

Joe O'Toole: .... I do not have a difficulty with nominations by the Taoiseach. I am not interested in creating a situation where the Government could be overwhelmed, toppled, restricted or perverted in this House. However, the Taoiseach's nominees should have to subscribe to various categories. People would have views on the walks of life from which they would come, whether the emigrant community,...

Seanad: Seanad Electoral (Panel Members)(Amendment) Bill 2008: Second Stage (20 Oct 2010)

Joe O'Toole: The Senator does not appear to have shared the view of his party leader on the future of the Seanad. I do not see that he has taken a public position different from his private position. There were a number of interviews yesterday by a learned professor who came from British Columbia to Ireland to speak about civic society. A week before that many of us were in the North discussing with our...

Seanad: Services for People with Disabilities: Motion (13 Oct 2010)

Joe O'Toole: .... Ba mhaith liom díriú isteach ar ghné amháin de leasú Fhine Gael - an giota a dhéanann déileáil leis an Acht EPSEN.. I want to focus on that issue. Members are aware I have raised this on many occasions. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, who is well aware of the views I shared with her on many occasions. As a teacher, when the EPSEN Act was published, I...

Seanad: Public Service Agreement 2010-2014: Statements (13 Oct 2010)

Joe O'Toole: I welcome the Minister of State and appreciate the work he has done in recent months in this area. I also thank him for acknowledging the commitment of public servants. Those who are not part of the Croke Park agreement cannot have pay protection, pension protection and job security. The Taoiseach said something similar this morning and it is important trade union leaders who are not party...

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Oct 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ..., the appetite is for having a go at whoever happens to be in power by whoever happens to be in Opposition at any given time, and there is no change to that. There is a lack of leadership on this issue and a fear of risk taking. I have never sat at a negotiating table but that the majority of letters and phone calls were telling me not to do so, to walk away and not to get involved. I...

Seanad: National Economy: Statements (Resumed) (6 Oct 2010)

Joe O'Toole: ...to the Leader of the House for the opportunity to contribute to the debate and I know my colleague, Senator Coghlan, does as well. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, for spending his time in the House for these two debates. It is important that what people have to say is put on the record. It is important that the Government would listen to and engage with it. I speak as...